Yesterday, we handed out our year-end grades for the offense, even sparking a response from one player via Twitter. In the latest of our series of articles wrapping up the 2009 football season, it's the defense and coaching staff's turn to step to the front of the class to get their report cards.[details]

A tall, long-armed corner who showcases good physicality off the line and loves to use his length to disrupt timing and bump receivers in the pass game, Thomas displays good awareness and ball skills in coverage and looks natural hand fighting with receivers in the pass game and closing on the ball. He displays decent click and close ability, but he is always up so tight to the receiver that he never has far to go. But he isn't the most fluid athlete when asked to change directions and quickly get out of his breaks. He has a tendency to get caught with his footwork overextended and fails to make up for a false step. Thomas isn't nearly as effective in off-coverage, where he needs to rely on this athleticism and footwork to win. He displays good straight-line speed when asked to turn and run downfield. Overall, he has the size, length and ball skills to make a roster as a bump corner, and I could see him carving out a niche as a team's nickel/dime corner, but he also needs to play bump on the outside.